Unsigned binding for ‘Griset’s Grotesques’.

Cloth casing, with an elaborate gilt and polychromatic inlay.

Ernest Griset (1844-1907)

1867

Gilt and coloured ink blocking on embossed blue cloth

10¾ x 8 inches

This design, which repeats the illustration on p. 31, is a good example of a trade-binding that uses one of the illustrator’s designs, and is only by him insofar as it repeats some of his work [continued below].

Detail

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Photograph and text by Simon Cooke

[You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link to this URL in a web document or cite it in a print one.]

An unknown technician created the elaborate mandorla, which apples a number of dies: one is a re-cut of Griset’s engraved design, making use, perhaps, of a photographic transfer; another furnishes the background to the figures; another, the encircling title; and yet another the foliate border surrounding the central panel. The extent of this technical work is perhaps a sign of the publisher’s desire to make the book as visually imposing as possible.

Unlike most of Griset’s books it was never issued with hand-coloured illustrations, and the publishers, Routledge and Co., which specialized in elaborate gift books for the festive season, may have wanted to increase its appeal to the Christmas trade by giving it a polychromatic livery; to modern eyes it might appear garish, perhaps vulgar. The book was further issued in a variety of colours – navy blue (as here), sand, green, and maroon: a jolly palette to enjoy at the fireside on Christmas morning.

References

Griset’s Grotesques. London: Routledge, 1867.

Created 30 December 2014